Failure to address sin at its source leads to more deceit and a tangled web of harm.
“They hatch adders’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a snake breaks forth.” (Isaiah 59:5) This vivid illustration, given through the prophet Isaiah, describes the destructive consequences of sin in the community of Israel. Snakes are often symbols of deceit and danger, beginning in Genesis; the “adders’ eggs” here can be seen as harmful plans germinating in the hearts of the people. Weaving a “spider’s web” points to intricately laid traps that ensnare and bring ruin rather than salvation. Even worse, those who partake or indulge in these sinful schemes—who “eat of their eggs”—will experience spiritual death and separation from God. While no specific geographical location is mentioned in this verse, it speaks metaphorically to the moral and communal environment in which the people found themselves.
“He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a snake breaks forth.” (Isaiah 59:5) emphasizes that even when such evil machinations are seemingly destroyed (“crushed”), further harm can spring up. Much like the warnings Jesus gave in the New Testament about internal sin having outward consequences (Matthew 15:18-20), Isaiah’s words remind us that destructive thoughts bring destructive outcomes. This verse calls for repentance and a turning away from such patterns. Spiritual transformation for the people of Israel, and for believers today, requires submitting one’s heart to the Lord and avoiding any “hatching” of evil desires.
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Isaiah 59:5 meaning
“They hatch adders’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a snake breaks forth.” (Isaiah 59:5) This vivid illustration, given through the prophet Isaiah, describes the destructive consequences of sin in the community of Israel. Snakes are often symbols of deceit and danger, beginning in Genesis; the “adders’ eggs” here can be seen as harmful plans germinating in the hearts of the people. Weaving a “spider’s web” points to intricately laid traps that ensnare and bring ruin rather than salvation. Even worse, those who partake or indulge in these sinful schemes—who “eat of their eggs”—will experience spiritual death and separation from God. While no specific geographical location is mentioned in this verse, it speaks metaphorically to the moral and communal environment in which the people found themselves.
“He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a snake breaks forth.” (Isaiah 59:5) emphasizes that even when such evil machinations are seemingly destroyed (“crushed”), further harm can spring up. Much like the warnings Jesus gave in the New Testament about internal sin having outward consequences (Matthew 15:18-20), Isaiah’s words remind us that destructive thoughts bring destructive outcomes. This verse calls for repentance and a turning away from such patterns. Spiritual transformation for the people of Israel, and for believers today, requires submitting one’s heart to the Lord and avoiding any “hatching” of evil desires.